China's online medicine sales crosses $1 trillion

Long-term e-commerce customers are patients prescribed with drugs for chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes

One of the top-selling online medicines is the treatment to boost male potency

Singapore: According to a report issued by Chinese drug authority, online sales of medicines are skyrocketing in China with the total sales value reaching $1.1 trillion in 2014. The best-selling medicines are donkey-hide gelatin products used to treat bleeding and insomnia, followed by treatments for erectile dysfunction and remedies for hair loss, the report elaborated.

Vitamins, calcium supplements, treatments for digestive problems and constipation, non-oral pain management products, gynecology drugs and eye drops are some of the other medicines that had good online sales.

Ms Liu Pei, head of the China Food and Drug Administration's 12320 hotline, however, cautioned that customers must be aware of fake drugs being sold online and buy drugs only from government-authorized online outlets－the names can be checked by calling the helpline.

The administration is continuing its efforts to crack down on illicit online drug sellers, and publicizes details of those it catches. Last year, the administration produced a draft regulation on the management of online drug sales for internal consideration that, if passed, will permit online sales of prescription drugs.